What is Collagen? What are the benefits of Collagen?

Collagen is known as an amino acid found in the body. Collagen is one of the most important proteins that keeps the body together, increases strength and gives the skin elasticity. It consists of three alpha chains wrapped around each other. As a protein found all over the body, the amount of collagen begins to decrease as we age.

Wrinkles and sagging that occur in the body with aging are common problems of most people. The main source of such problems in the skin is the collagen deficiency.  As the collagen, which connects bone and muscle tissue, begins to decrease in the body, various problems begin to arise.

Types of Collagen

The most common types of collagen, of which 19 types have been defined, in our body are type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4 and type 10. All these types of collagen are located in different tissues of the body.

Collagen Type 1: The most abundant collagen in the body is type 1. It consists of eosinophilic fibers that form the parts of the body. Type 1 collagen, found in organs, ligaments, tendons and skin, supports bones, protects the skin, provides skin elasticity, holds tissues together and helps wounds to heal.

Collagen Type 2: Type 2 collagen is produced by non-cellular cartilage matrix. Cartilage matrix is a fluid-like filling that exists within cartilage. Helping the formation of cartilage in connective tissues, type 2 collagen is very important for joint health. It is effective in the treatment of age-related joint pain and related symptoms.

Collagen Type 3: Type 3 collagen consists of the main component of the extracellular matrix that forms our organs and skin. Type 3 collagen, which is an important supporter in forming the heart, blood vessels and blood tissue, is also very effective in maintaining the elasticity and firmness of the skin. It supports the structure of muscles, arteries and organs. While it gives elasticity to the vessels, it also strengthens the muscles.

Collagen Type 4: The type 4 collagen, which plays a role in the fluid filtration stage of the skin, forms the digestive and respiratory surfaces. Located in the deep layers of the skin, this type of collagen is effective in the formation of the basement membrane surrounding the fat and organs.

Collagen Type 10: Type 10 collagen, which is involved in the formation of new bones, is also important for the development of articular cartilages. It has a restorative task for joint pains and fractures in joint areas.

What are the Benefits of Collagen?

Firm and Smooth Skin Surface: Collagen's best-known benefit is that it tightens the skin and reduces wrinkles as much as possible. When the collagen, which keeps the skin structure and muscles together, increases its entry into the body, it eliminates the signs of aging on the skin, resulting in a smoother appearance.

Better Circulatory System: Collagen provides improvement in the internal tissues of the body as well as on the skin surface. Collagen provides a better circulatory system to the person, as it increases vascular flexibility and strengthens tissue structure. In addition, the increase in quality in the circulatory system enables the development of the cardiovascular system.

Flexible Joints: Collagen makes joints more flexible. Especially people with joint disorders can benefit from collagen in terms of joint mobility.

Strong and Healthy Hair: In the natural aging process, hair strands begin to lose their thickness, strength to resist external factors and their shiny appearance. All of these cause hair breakage and hair loss. Even if hair loss does not start directly, the hair does not grow with the same efficiency as before. Collagen is a good choice for preventing hair strands from losing their strength. Collagen, which stimulates and thickens the hair strands, will provide stronger and healthy hair.

Faster Healing Process: Collagen is a solution for wounds whose healing process is slowed down due to various diseases or the natural aging process. It has been determined that the reason for the prolongation of the healing process of the wounds with aging is the collagen decline in the body. Collagen supplement strengthens the skin and accelerates the healing process of wounds.

Healthier Digestive System: Glycine, an amino acid found in collagen, facilitates the digestion of food by supporting the production of stomach acid.

Less Cellulites: Collagen, which helps to make the skin texture smooth from the inside and outside, helps to regulate the scattered fatty tissue located just below the skin surface, and thus to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

What are the Differences Between Collagen and Hydrolyzed Collagen?

The hydrolysis process breaks the bonds between amino acids so that the product is easier to digest and absorbed more easily from the bloodstream. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides offer a complete amino acid profile; this makes it easy to ensure proper dietary levels in the best collagen supplements. The advantage of hydrolyzed collagen is that it contains amino acids and stimulates fibroblast cells that form Type 1 collagen in the skin. Thus, collagen gene expression increases and collagen formation accelerates in fibroblast cells.

What Causes Collagen Loss?

• Environmental pollution,
• Cigarette usage,
• Alcohol consumption
• Exposure to sunlight for a long time,
• Sudden rise in blood sugar,
• Excessive sugar consumption
• Consumption of packaged, refined foods,
• Unhealthy eating,
• Sleep disorders 

On Which Surfaces of the Skin Is Collagen Effective?

• Pimples, acnes and spots on the skin surface,
• Collapsed cheeks,
• Wrinkle lines on the forehead,
• Collagen is very effective on deep lines in the corner of the mouth.
• Deep smile lines starting from the nose to the mouth circumference,
• Wrinkles on the lips, especially in people who smoke. 

Who Might Need to Take Extra Collagen?

• People with dry and sensitive skin,
• People whose skin have lost its elasticity,
• People who have a stain on the skin,
• Especially people who have cracks on their body after birth,
• People who have an unhealthy appearance in their hair, skin and nails due to excessive alcohol and cigarette consumption,
• People who observe conditions such as slow growth of their nails, peeling or frequent breakage,
• People who have had a hair transplant,
• People who have skin problems due to the natural aging process or environmental factors,
• People who have wounds or burns on the skin surface,
• People who have had bariatric surgery may need collagen supplements. 

Foods Containing Collagen

Meat and Bone Broth: Boiling meat and bones and consuming it is very beneficial for human health. Meat and bone broth containing type 1 collagen and type 2 collagen supports joint functions. It is especially beneficial for people with joint disorders to increase the amount of collagen in their bodies through bone broth.

Green Vegetables: One of the characteristics of green vegetables, which have many different benefits for human health, is that they contain high amounts of collagen. Green leafy vegetables contain chlorophyll, which increases the amount of procollagen in our body. Chlorophyll not only increases the amount of procollagen in our body, but also protects our body against UV rays and radicals. Especially, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard and cabbage should be preferred.

Garlic: Garlic contains high amounts of sulfur just like white parts of egg. Sulfur triggers collagen in joints and skin. At the same time, garlic, which contains taurine and lipid acids that help repair damaged joints, helps to increase the amount of collagen.

Egg White: Egg white contains high amounts of amino acids and sulfur in addition to collagen. Sulfur facilitates the elimination of toxins, which are the enemy of collagen, from the body.

White Tea: White tea helps collagen and skin proteins to preserve their molecular structures.

Avocado and Avocado Oil: Avocado, which is rich in vitamin E and prevents the breakdown of collagen in the body, helps to prevent the effects of aging.

Soy Products: Soy has a compound known as genistein. Soy products, which are a powerful antioxidant store, protect the skin against free radicals that can damage skin cells and tighten the skin.

Red Fruits and Vegetables: Red fruits and vegetables contain ellagic acid, which prevents the breakdown of collagen caused by UV light. Red fruits such as raspberry, apple, blackberry, cherry and strawberry increase collagen production in the body.

Beans: Beans help the body to produce hyaluronic acid, an anti-aging substance. Hyaluronic acid adjusts the moisture balance of the skin and makes the skin look smooth and moist. It also supports cell regeneration by increasing collagen synthesis.

What Are the Effects of Collagen on Weight?

Studies have shown that people who consume collagen create a feeling of fullness forty percent more than other types of protein. Due to the feeling of fullness, it creates collagen is a substance that contributes to the weight loss process. Collagen also helps reduce appetite.  In clinical studies conducted in obese patients, it has been determined that hydrolyzed collagen intake secretes satiety hormone into the blood. The patients included in the experiment felt extra satiety and lost their appetite to consume harmful foods during the process; and consuming less harmful foods led them to lose weight more easily. As a result, collagen helps the weight loss process indirectly.